Mommy’s Plate

UGH.  I feel like a big pile o’ crap.

Over the weekend, we went to the Texas Renaissance Festival and the morning of, we had breakfast at this little restaurant.  We brought in Benjamin’s favorite book “Are You My Mother?”  And, unfortunately, with all the excitement of heading to the festival, we left his beloved book behind.

The last time Benji was with his book

We did not even notice until we heard him in the back of the car saying “Buh, buh” (book, book).  I looked at Ogre and said, “Where is his book?”  It took us a good 5 minutes before we were able to trace back and realize that the book was likely left at the restaurant.  This, despite the fact that I went up to the table after Ogre and Benji had gotten up and Ogre went back to the table twice.  Once to get Benji’s seat and once to look for the breakfast receipt.

We are usually so good about making sure we have everything before we leave, particularly when it’s something the kids love.  We have never lost any of Mina’s beloved items.  I guess after five years of child rearing and with a second kid, it was bound to happen.  Still feels shitty.

We have read books to Mina since she was probably 3 months old -every night, we still do actually, now she helps read words.  I must admit that Benji has not been read to every night -he was never as interested as Mina.  Mina’s first word was “book” at 9 months.  Benji’s first words was “woo-woo” (woof).  They have different priorities.  We still make an effort to read to him and he finally found a book he loved. 

I am pretty animated when I read their books and he loves when I bounce him as I say the word “jumped.”  He likes to say “meow” when he sees the cat.  But his favorite part is when you get to the crane that the bird asks if it is its mother and the crane makes a sound, “SNORT!”  Benji laughs and says “sno!”

The Snort

If you follow our family blog where we write about going out to eat, you’ll see that for the last week that book has been with us and is a major part of how Benji’s mood will play out.  He brings the book to my parents’ house and makes everyone read it with him.

It was like salt being rubbed in a deep wound when I brought Benji over this morning to their house.  My dad was so excited to go and get a toy he bought him over the weekend.  It was a yellow crane (he explained that he looked for red, but they didn’t have it) and my dad said, “Look, Benji, SNORT!!” 

Aw man, not snort!!  Luckily, Benji did not think of the book, he was too happy with his new toy!

I’ve already called the restaurant and they do have the book, but the lady said she’d have to ask the manager if it’s okay for her to mail it to me.  I offered to pay for postage.  She still hasn’t called back.  I realize that I could just get him a new book, and I actually planned to anyway, but it’d be nice to have this one with all it’s teeth marks, crusty food, and well, to be frank, love all over it.  Sorry, Benj, we’ll try to make it right.

Anyone passing through The Woodlands anytime soon?

A very well loved book!